Civil Survival organizes system-impacted people, provides legal representation, and advocates for policy reform to restore opportunity to communities harmed by the criminal legal system. We envision a world without incarceration, where people are not limited by their past and are valued for their humanity. Civil Survival was founded by people harmed by the criminal legal system to advocate for each other. Most of our staff have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system. Our foundational commitment to build an organization made up of members of the communities remains at the core of our identity.
These values and commitments have allowed us to increase access to opportunity for those harmed by the criminal legal system. We have done this by:
- Organizing mass assistance days that provide legal financial obligation relief to hundreds of clients in a single day. During Civil Survival’s mass assistance day in Pierce County, the courts waived over $2.3 million in criminal legal debt.
- Representing clients in 1,095 cases across 92 courts, resulting in the waiver of approximately $3 million in criminal legal debt during 2023.
- Leading systemic advocacy to make reentry legal relief accessible and automatic. Civil Survival led the effort to pass HB 1412 and HB 1169, which allowed for restitution relief in over 100,000 cases and eliminated $600 in mandatory LFOs for every felony conviction; and
- Hosting weekly Game Changer groups that provide justice-involved individuals a place to learn how to advocate for systemic change, overcome their own reentry barriers, and provide peer support.
Summary
Civil Survival is looking for an Administrative Assistant to assist in organizational operations. The Administrative Assistant will work with the Operations Manager in a variety of administrative areas including billing, compliance, human resources, payroll and tech support. In supporting Civil Survival’s administrative needs, the Administrative Assistant will have a range of responsibilities, including payment processing, data entry, calendar management, website and software management, and communicating with staff and community members.
The Administrative Assistant will work on a highly motivated team that is excited and eager to run a high functioning, compliant organization. In supporting the work of the Civil Survival team, the Administrative Assistant will improve the overall operations of Civil Survival. The support of the Administrative Assistant will allow the team to work towards restoring opportunity to communities harmed by the criminal legal system.
Individuals with lived experience in the criminal legal system are encouraged to apply, even if they do not have experience as an administrative assistant. We envision this position as an opportunity for people, including those with lived experience, to begin a career in nonprofit administration. A successful person in the position will have the opportunity to grow into other positions at Civil Survival.
Job Description
The Administrative Assistant will be responsible for supporting the daily administrative needs of the Civil Survival team. This support will include, but not be limited to, maintaining files, responding to general email inquiries, data entry, scheduling meetings, event planning, and technical support.
The Administrative Assistant will report to, and work closely with, the Operations Manager. The Operations Manager will support the Administrative Assistant in the accomplishment of daily administrative tasks and will work with the Administrative Assistant to maintain and improve the operations of Civil Survival.
Civil Survival strives for racially equitable outcomes in all program areas. The Administrative Assistant will be comfortable with and actively engage in racial equity work. People of color, those directly impacted by the criminal legal system, people who identify as queer, trans, lesbian, gay, or bisexual, and those with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities include:
- Responding to general inquiries from the Civil Survival website;
- Organizing and scheduling internal and external meetings;
- Assisting in planning large in-person events such as mass assistance days and lobby days;
- Ordering and tracking office supplies and equipment;
- Data entry in multiple software programs;
- Providing basic technical support to Civil Survival staff;
- Work in partnership with external partners to maintain and improve the Civil Survival website and internal systems;
- Planning and execution of quarterly staff retreats and other Civil Survival events;
- Assisting in payroll functions such as mileage and expense reimbursements;
- Assisting in employee benefit administration;
- Reviewing and processing payments for accounts payable;
- Providing support in employee recognition activities; and
- Assisting with special projects and other administrative duties within the organization;
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Lived experience with the criminal legal system is preferred.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organization skills—the applicant should be able to manage multiple projects, ensuring that tasks are completed in a timely manner and lower-priority items do not slip through the cracks.
- Ability to organize electronic files and email efficiently so that information is consistently saved in locations that are easy for staff to access.
- Demonstrated cultural competence and sensitivity in working with diverse clients, communities, and colleagues.
- Desire to work collaboratively with the ability to work independently.
- Strong drive and initiative with the ability to manage time well in an environment of many concurrent assignments and deadlines.
- A willingness and desire to jump in and help on a wide variety of projects, to learn new skills, and to take ownership of assignments.
- Accurate and detail-oriented, with the ability to give and receive feedback effectively.
- Knowledge of software programs including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Adobe Acrobat Pro, WordPress, Zapier, and SharePoint preferred,
- Desire to learn and develop skills within other software programs.
Location
All Civil Survival staff work remotely. In-person work may be required to attend events, provide administrative support to staff, attend meetings, and attend organizational retreats. Travel within Washington may be required. Applicants from all parts of Washington State are encouraged to apply.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary range is $25.68 to $36.55 per hour, depending on experience. The administrative assistant will work 40 hours per week. Within the position salary range, salary increases up to 4% annually, depending on performance. An additional annual cost of living increase is provided at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Benefits include:
- 401k match of up to 4% of salary;
- Generous medical and dental benefits for employees and dependent family members;
- 17 paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day;
- 15 days vacation, accrued annually, increasing to 21 days vacation, accrued annually;
- 12 personal days, accrued annually;
- Long-term disability insurance;
- Flexible Spending Account; and
- Monthly $50 employer cell phone contribution.
Civil Survival is committed to expanding opportunity to people directly impacted by the criminal legal system. For individuals without college education or professional training, we will provide the training and education needed to succeed in this role and grow with Civil Survival. This includes mentorship from an experienced administrative staff and, as appropriate, funding to attend classes and other professional development opportunities.
Benefits are provided consistent with current organizational policies and are subject to change. This is a Fair Labor Standards Act non-exempt, at-will position; continuation in the position depends on both performance and funding.
Equal Opportunity employer
Civil Survival is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and fosters an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices. Civil Survival actively promotes mutual respect, acceptance, teamwork and productivity. We are committed to maintaining an organization whose staff, Board and clients are diverse in background, experience, race, color, national origin, gender, age, religious affiliation, marital status, sexual identity, sensory, mental or physical abilities, veteran status, and other qualities that strengthen the program while reinforcing its commitment to basic fairness.
People of color, those directly impacted by the criminal legal system, people who identify as queer, trans, lesbian, gay, or bisexual, and those with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals needing a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process should contact Julie Wilson (she/her pronouns) at Julie.Wilson@civilsurvival.org or 206-317-4546. civilsurvival.org info@civilsurvival.org
How to apply
Please submit the following, as Word or PDF attachments, to Julie Wilson at Julie.Wilson@civilsurvival.org by Monday, August 12, 2024, at 11:59 pm. The email subject line should clearly reference “Civil Survival Administrative Assistant.”
- Letter of interest: The letter of interest should include a description of any past experience, personal or professional, with low income or other marginalized communities. We value lived experience in the criminal legal system and encourage applicants to share any lived experience in their letter of interest.
- Resumé.
- Names and contact information for three professional references. Professional references will not be contacted until the conclusion of the interview process.